Target shape dependence in a simple model of receptor-mediated endocytosis and phagocytosis

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Date

2016-05-16

Author

Richards, DM

Endres, RG

Date issued

2016-05-16

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Type

Article

Language

en

Publisher

National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Phagocytosis and receptor-mediated endocytosis are vitally important particle uptake mechanisms in many cell types, ranging from single-cell organisms to immune cells. In both processes, engulfment by the cell depends critically on both particle shape and orientation. However, most previous theoretical work has focused only on spherical particles and hence disregards the wide-ranging particle shapes occurring in nature, such as those of bacteria. Here, by implementing a simple model in one and two dimensions, we compare and contrast receptor-mediated endocytosis and phagocytosis for a range of biologically relevant shapes, including spheres, ellipsoids, capped cylinders, and hourglasses. We find a whole range of different engulfment behaviors with some ellipsoids engulfing faster than spheres, and that phagocytosis is able to engulf a greater range of target shapes than other types of endocytosis. Further, the 2D model can explain why some nonspherical particles engulf fastest (not at all) when presented to the membrane tip-first (lying flat). Our work reveals how some bacteria may avoid being internalized simply because of their shape, and suggests shapes for optimal drug delivery.

Funders/Sponsor

DMR and RGE were supported by BBSRC grant
BB/I019987/1. DMR was also supported by the Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic
Support Award (WT105618MA). RGE also acknowledges funding from ERC Starting
Grant 280492-PPHPI.

Description

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.